To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Spring 2013
Do spring rains mean we are going to have warm season pasture grass?
David W. Freeman
OSU Extension Equine Specialist
We can surely hope that the small changes in weather patterns this spring means that we will have growth of warm season pas-ture
grasses later this year. The severity and scope of drought seems to have lessened somewhat in Oklahoma; however, recent
monitoring shows most of the state is still in extreme, severe to
moderate intensity of drought. A map indicated percentage of
normal rainfall for the month of March shows most of the state
has been well under the percentage of normal rainfall (http://
climate.ok.gov/data/public/mesonet/maps/daily/drought/last30dayspct.png) .
Predictions for the next three months suggest about equal
chances for above or below average rainfall. Soil moisture lev-els
are still less than desired for plant growth, and surface water
used for watering livestock are low.
So, my take on it is that it is a little early to know what to ex-pect.
Following soil moisture levels, precipitation levels, and
drought status will provide more information as April progresses
toward the time of year we expect warm season grasses to
grow. For those with an interest in such, you might bookmark
the Oklahoma Mesonet site at http://www.mesonet.org/
index.php .
In the meantime, maybe we can be optimistic so as to plan for
pasture growth this year. If you have the ‘normal’ horse opera-tion,
spring rains will mean that weeds will start to proliferate.
This may be especially true since many of our pastures have
been severely overgrazed the last couple of years, even to the
standards of ‘normal’ horse pastures which have a tendency to
be overgrazed even in good years.
I’m already receiving calls requesting the best herbicide for
horse pastures. That question can’t be answered well over the
phone, as weed specie, proliferation and timing of weed
growth direct herbicide use and timing. Most herbicides con-tain
a broadleaf control agent, i.e. 24-D. However, certain her-bicides
are indicated for use for certain weed species, and all
herbicides have to be used at the correct time for effective con-trol.
So, I’d relay questions on herbicide use to those in your locale with better knowledge of conditions, your County Coopera-tive
Extension Agriculture Educator. Same goes for making decisions on fertilizer as timing, moisture, soil mineral content (soil
test) and grass specie drive decisions on fertilization. I’ve had one person already tell me they are getting a jump on this year’s
pasture: He already put out fertilizer for warm season grass. I suppose the recent showers we have had made him jump a little
early. I didn’t have the heart to tell him at best he was feeding weeds for now, and the intents of helping warm season grasses
were likely premature.
OSU Equine News is a newsletter prepared quarterly by Dr. David Freeman, OSU Extension Equine Specialist, Department of Animal Science. (Reprint of articles
is allowed for noncommercial uses; please indicate source as OSU Equine News.) Contact: david.freeman@okstate.edu

Spring 2013
Do spring rains mean we are going to have warm season pasture grass?
David W. Freeman
OSU Extension Equine Specialist
We can surely hope that the small changes in weather patterns this spring means that we will have growth of warm season pas-ture
grasses later this year. The severity and scope of drought seems to have lessened somewhat in Oklahoma; however, recent
monitoring shows most of the state is still in extreme, severe to
moderate intensity of drought. A map indicated percentage of
normal rainfall for the month of March shows most of the state
has been well under the percentage of normal rainfall (http://
climate.ok.gov/data/public/mesonet/maps/daily/drought/last30dayspct.png) .
Predictions for the next three months suggest about equal
chances for above or below average rainfall. Soil moisture lev-els
are still less than desired for plant growth, and surface water
used for watering livestock are low.
So, my take on it is that it is a little early to know what to ex-pect.
Following soil moisture levels, precipitation levels, and
drought status will provide more information as April progresses
toward the time of year we expect warm season grasses to
grow. For those with an interest in such, you might bookmark
the Oklahoma Mesonet site at http://www.mesonet.org/
index.php .
In the meantime, maybe we can be optimistic so as to plan for
pasture growth this year. If you have the ‘normal’ horse opera-tion,
spring rains will mean that weeds will start to proliferate.
This may be especially true since many of our pastures have
been severely overgrazed the last couple of years, even to the
standards of ‘normal’ horse pastures which have a tendency to
be overgrazed even in good years.
I’m already receiving calls requesting the best herbicide for
horse pastures. That question can’t be answered well over the
phone, as weed specie, proliferation and timing of weed
growth direct herbicide use and timing. Most herbicides con-tain
a broadleaf control agent, i.e. 24-D. However, certain her-bicides
are indicated for use for certain weed species, and all
herbicides have to be used at the correct time for effective con-trol.
So, I’d relay questions on herbicide use to those in your locale with better knowledge of conditions, your County Coopera-tive
Extension Agriculture Educator. Same goes for making decisions on fertilizer as timing, moisture, soil mineral content (soil
test) and grass specie drive decisions on fertilization. I’ve had one person already tell me they are getting a jump on this year’s
pasture: He already put out fertilizer for warm season grass. I suppose the recent showers we have had made him jump a little
early. I didn’t have the heart to tell him at best he was feeding weeds for now, and the intents of helping warm season grasses
were likely premature.
OSU Equine News is a newsletter prepared quarterly by Dr. David Freeman, OSU Extension Equine Specialist, Department of Animal Science. (Reprint of articles
is allowed for noncommercial uses; please indicate source as OSU Equine News.) Contact: david.freeman@okstate.edu